The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) serves as a pivotal gateway for researchers and institutions aiming to contribute to cutting-edge Army advancements. This competitive solicitation, known as Army Career Program 17 in its broader impact on professional trajectories within defense research, invites proposals for basic and applied research aligned with ARL’s core mission: to operationalize science for Army advantage.
Entities eligible to participate in this significant army career program 17 opportunity include a diverse range of organizations, from higher education institutions and non-profits to state and local governments, foreign entities, and both large and small for-profit businesses. The BAA acts as the primary instrument for DEVCOM ARL to facilitate assistance agreements, encompassing grants and cooperative agreements, and extends to awarding contracts and other transactions (OTs).
ARL’s overarching mission is to transform scientific discovery into tangible operational advantages for the Army. This is achieved through strategic partnerships across the innovation ecosystem, delivering fundamental changes that enhance Army capabilities. The BAA actively seeks proposals spanning numerous disciplines, fostering innovative research that can lead to breakthroughs with substantial impact on Army operations and related technologies, thereby enriching the army career program 17 landscape through research pathways.
Navigating the Application Process for Army Research Advancement
For those interested in participating in this army career program 17 enabler, a structured application process is highly recommended to ensure effective resource allocation and proposal success. Potential applicants are encouraged to engage in the following steps:
- Initial Inquiry with ARL TPOC: Initiate contact with an ARL Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to discuss research concepts and alignment with ARL interests.
- Whitepaper Submission: Submit a concise whitepaper to the ARL TPOC for preliminary review and feedback.
- Full Proposal Submission: Following positive feedback on the whitepaper, a comprehensive full proposal can be prepared and submitted.
This preliminary engagement is crucial to conserve both applicant and government resources, allowing for early dialogue on research suitability and funding availability before significant effort is invested in detailed proposal development. ARL TPOCs, identified within each BAA research topic description, are available to provide guidance on research needs and funding prospects. Detailed application instructions are accessible in the complete BAA document, which applicants are urged to download and thoroughly review.
Award Types Supporting Diverse Research and Career Trajectories
The Army Research Office (ARO) utilizes various award types under this BAA to support research initiatives, each designed to cater to different research scopes and career stages, contributing to the broader army career program 17 goals. While ARO may employ other award mechanisms, the following represent the most common types:
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Single Investigator (SI) Award: These awards are predominantly granted to individual researchers or small academic teams, aiming to engage outstanding university faculty in research projects that yield significant scientific discoveries relevant to Army needs and army career program 17 growth.
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Short-Term Innovative Research (STIR) Award: STIR awards facilitate rapid, short-duration investigations to evaluate the potential of novel basic research concepts. They offer a platform to explore pioneering ideas and emerging research areas that could shape future Army research directions and provide early-stage opportunities within army career program 17.
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Early Career Program (ECP) Award: ECP awards represent one of the Army’s most prestigious recognitions for exceptional scientists at the outset of their independent careers. The ECP seeks to attract and support outstanding early-career university faculty in pursuing fundamental research aligned with Army interests, fostering their research and teaching careers, and building the future of the army career program 17 talent pool.
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Research Instrumentation (RI) Award: RI awards are intended to enhance the research capabilities of U.S. higher education institutions in areas critical to national defense. Funding may be allocated for purchasing research instrumentation to support ongoing research or to develop new research capabilities, strengthening the infrastructure underpinning army career program 17 related research.
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Conference and Symposia Grant Award: The Army supports conferences and symposia that convene experts to discuss recent scientific and educational findings, or to introduce new research and educational techniques to researchers and graduate students, fostering collaboration and knowledge dissemination within the army career program 17 community.
Conclusion: Participate in Shaping the Future of Army Technology
The DEVCOM ARL BAA provides a vital pathway for researchers and institutions to contribute to the Army’s science and technology objectives. By engaging with this announcement, participants can play a crucial role in developing innovative solutions and technologies that enhance Army capabilities. Whether through basic research, early career programs, or infrastructure development, the BAA offers diverse opportunities to contribute to the army career program 17 and the advancement of Army science. Interested parties are encouraged to explore the current BAA topics and application guidelines to embark on a journey of impactful research and collaboration with the U.S. Army.
